622 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



that which he usually deems so worthless because it is so 

 common. And to the traveller from abroad, seeking respite 

 from the turmoil and glare of the busy thoroughfare, it would 

 come as a glimpse of fairy loveliness, suggestive of Alpine 

 heights and sylvan solitudes — of sound and lake and water- 

 fall, inviting him to pause on his journey and join the ever- 

 increasing band of explorers who annually find their way to 

 our shores. 



The City of Auckland possesses exceptional advantages for 

 an undertaking of the kind suggested. Not only is the mild 

 and equable climate of the province peculiarly suitable for the 

 growth of every description of fern, whether native or exotic, 

 but its varied topographical conditions help to make it the 

 home of a very large number of species. Nor would the work 

 of collection involve any great labour or expense. The re- 

 motest corners of our gulfs and islands — the favoured haunts 

 of the most beautiful and rarest sorts — are now within easy 

 access by means of coasting steamers, and there are not 

 wanting throughout the country districts persons of taste and 

 culture who would be only too glad to collect and forward 

 such specimens as might be required. 



To Auckland, then, should naturally fall the honour of 

 leading off in an enterprise which would soon be taken up in 

 every city in the colony. The question of cost would of course 

 have to be faced ; but the sum required, as already stated, 

 would not be a very formidable one ; whilst, as a matter of 

 fac't, the necessary funds are not usually wanting once the 

 desirability of a public undertaking is admitted. The General 

 Government might very fairly be asked to make an annual 

 grant in support of an object of such wide-spread importance, 

 to be supplemented by the city authorities, who would pro- 

 perly act as guardians and trustees ; and it is also possible, and, 

 indeed, quite probable, that in this, as in the case of other of 

 our municipal institutions, some public-spirited person would 

 come forward with substantial support. 



Before dismissing the subject it may be as well to say a 

 word as to site and structure, though of course these would 

 be influenced by the conditions of individual localities. Speak- 

 ing generally, a public fernery should consist of two depart- 

 ments, one in the open air in some sheltered position where 

 a good water-supply is available, and the other under glass, or 

 glass and trellis combined. It would, of course, be well if the 

 two could be placed together, so as to form part of a single 

 plan, and for the sake of economy of maintenance ; but this is 

 not of vital importance, so long as both are conveniently 

 accessible. In the case of Auckland, the Domain gully and 

 the Albert Park would respectively offer every advantage. As 

 regards the plan of the building for the covered department, 



